[Modernman]

17 years old have the same mental capacity of a 18 year old so dont give us that bleeding heart liberal crap!

Lower the age of majority to 17 or 16, then, for all purposes. You can't logically have it both ways- you can't treat a 16 year-old like an adult for some purposes but like a child for others.

When a 17 year old gang banger rapes and kills members of your family lets see how you will view their mental capacity.

Personal experiences like that are irrelevant when looking at Constitutional issues.

[jwalsh07]

Lower the age of majority to 17 or 16, then, for all purposes. You can't logically have it both ways- you can't treat a 16 year-old like an adult for some purposes but like a child for others.

Totally false. Children under the age of majority have almost, but not quite, all the rights of an adult. It is written into the Constitution and thus you certainly can have it both ways and it is the states who decide which ways.

[M 91 u2 K]

Lower the age of majority to 17 or 16, then, for all purposes. You can't logically have it both ways- you can't treat a 16 year-old like an adult for some purposes but like a child for others.

Some states had the death penalty for 16 years olds and rightly so.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

You can't logically have it both ways- you can't treat a 16 year-old like an adult for some purposes but like a child for others.

We do it all the time. A sixteen year old may have a drive but may not vote and eighteen year old may vote but may not drink.

[TomGuy]

You can't logically have it both ways- you can't treat a 16 year-old like an adult for some purposes but like a child for others.

Many states do similar now--those that allow 18 year olds to vote and serve in the military but make it illegal for those under age 21 to buy alcholic beverages.

Some state are trying to regulate school attendance/graduation with getting a driver's license.

Stupid laws have existed since man-made laws have existed. Look through some of the 'silly laws' websites and books. Many of those law are still on the books; just not enforced, usually.

[colorcountry]

I agree - Under 18 is a child.

Do you know there is no Miranda rights for a child. There are alot of ways in Society that children are treated differently. That is because we RECOGNIZE that they ARE children regardless of the heineousness of their crimes.

Just because an adult can manipulate them (hire them as some on this tread say) to kill, it would not make us a better society to stop the recognition of a child even though he is 17 and 364 days.